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As we begin ramping up for another election cycle, I hope our local and regional news editors will ensure that our community is informed on the changing characteristics of national and regional government.

Since most of us made our youthful visit to the voting booth, there has been a tremendous change in the dynamics of elected public service.

A few months ago, some of my colleagues and I were discussing a bill recently introduced in the General Assembly, and someone remarked: “Wonder what the founders would think of that” The more we thought about it, the more it seemed like an entirely relevant question to ask of any bill.

An important deadline is approaching for Lancaster County taxpayers – the closing of the county’s 2013 tax books, which takes place on March 17.

This is an important step in the annual fiscal budgeting process for Lancaster County government, as it allows those who serve on County Council, the school board and town and city councils to determine how much tax revenue they will have to work with as they work to finish their 2014-15 budgets.

The Mattamy Homes proposal for a residential development on the TreeTops site on Van Wyck Road is expected to come before Lancaster County Council at 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 10, in the County Administration Building, 101 N. Main St.

Eagle Rock Camp, an organization dedicated to helping the families of service members with service-related difficulties through a camping experience, is looking for a new home and has shown an interest in the TreeTops site.

I appreciate the hard work that U.S. Rep. Mick Mulvaney provides in Washington on behalf of the citizens of South Carolina and I believe that he is earnest in his views of what it takes to be successful in today’s world.

However, I take exception with some of his views in his recent column in the Feb. 9 edition of The Lancaster News, “Why people don’t like politicians.”

S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley recently signed Bill 308 into law, which will allows South Carolina residents with a concealed weapons permit to carry their weapons into many businesses, including restaurants and bars.

Here’s what South Carolinians need to know about the new law.

Restaurant

and bar owners

u Do I have the right to order someone with a concealable weapon out of my business?

It’s the kind of news that should be alarming, yet it’s all too common.

A local TV news station reported Feb. 15 that a man attempted to assault a Richland County deputy after being pulled over for driving more than 100 miles per hour. The suspect was subdued and arrested.

In this case, the assailant didn’t appear to have a weapon. Still, it was a stark reminder of the dangers our police officers face.